England Premier League
Saturday 13th February 2021
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Match Preview:
One could say that Manchester City come into this game with the confidence of 2019 and the club are certainly on a roll winning their last 11 games in all competitions. Last weekend City faced probably their hardest game of the season on paper, away to Liverpool and without Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero won 4-1, that is a stunning result in anyone’s book and the club look like the absolute favourites to win the league title now.
City are 5 points in front of Manchester United but have a game in hand and are 10 points in front of Liverpool also with an extra game to play. In midweek it was routine stuff for Pep Guardiola’s team who beat Swansea 3-1 in the FA Cup and City will face Everton in the quarter finals. Top of the league, in the final of the Carabao Cup and now quarters of the FA Cup people will start talking about the domestic treble now.
At home Manchester City have lost just once and won 8 of their 11 games including their last 5. Another stunning stat is that the club have won 30 points from their last 30. No other team in the league can come close to that and that is why City have pulled out a lead at the top.
For Tottenham this match will feel like a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final where of course they will play City, although that doesn’t take place until April 25th.
There’s no way around it, Tottenham are in trouble on the pitch and off it. True they beat West Bromwich Albion last weekend but that felt like a minimal requirement, and other than that result Tottenham look like they are imploding under manager Jose Mourinho. On form the club would be 12th but they are slipping to that position anyway and come into this game in 8th place. Tottenham are a full 14 points behind their hosts and even a top 4 place is in the balance. They are currently 4 points behind that target but do have a game in hand over Liverpool, however Tottenham also have teams all around them in the form of Chelsea, West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa.
Tottenham were knocked out of the FA Cup in midweek in a game that will go down as an instant classic. Everton beat Tottenham 5-4 after extra time in a match that kept swinging both ways. Tottenham took the lead but at one point were 3-1 down and pulled the game back to 3-3. After 90 minutes the game ended at 4-4 but in extra time Tottenham lost it in an amazing 9 goal thriller.
The club will feel exhausted coming into this game and the Everton loss was away from home. On top of that superstar turned bench warmer Gareth Bale is not playing under Mourinho and whilst it could be argued that Bale 2021 version is not Bale 2014 version it must be incredibly frustrating for the player to sit on the bench game after game when he knows that for most teams in Europe he would be playing every week. And how does club chairman Daniel Levy feel about paying Bale £220,000 a week to see his manager not playing him and not winning games? This episode looks like it won’t end well.
Back to Tottenham’s form and away from home the club have won 50% of their games and lost only twice though this has happened in their last four away games and their last one ended in defeat to Brighton.
Team News:
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero has been seen in training after recovering from Covid-19 and could feature in this game. However there might be some fitness issues and he is expected to be assessed first. Ruben Dias has a fever and missed the FA Cup in midweek he is expected to be ready for the weekend. Fernandinho will face a test on his thigh but he should be fine. Rodri has a knock but it is expected to be minor, Kevin De Bruyne is being pencilled in to return in 10 days time.
Tottenham: Serge Aurier has a calf injury but is being pencilled in to return for this game. Gareth Bale has a slight muscle injury and may miss out. Sergio Reguilon is not expected back for at least a week and Giovani Lo Celso is still out with a muscle injury.
Man City vs Tottenham Head to Head:
Tottenham have won the last 2 meetings over Manchester City and by the same score line of 2-0, although on both occasions they were at home.
Last season this fixture ended 2-2.
In the last 10 games to be played at Manchester City in the league, Tottenham has just 1 victory which last happened in 2016.
Man City vs Tottenham Prediction:
Tottenham are a good attacking side and are sure to have their moments in this game. However we think this game could be set up for a devastating Manchester City victory and of course it is Guardiola vs Mourinho all over again. Tottenham look in a bad way, this is the last game they need at the moment and City are smelling the league title and playing brilliant football.
One is reminded of when Barcelona and Real Madrid played each other 10 years ago, Barca managed by Guardiola and Madrid by Mourinho and Barca won 5-0. You just get the feeling in how these two teams are coming into this game we could see something close. Tottenham are leaking goals against quality sides, recently Liverpool and Everton have put 8 past their defence and the way City are they could score a few here, we only see one winner at the Etihad on Saturday. City are 1.30 to win so we will up that a little at no extra risk using the -1 asian handicap.
Man City vs Tottenham Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (-1 Man City) at 1.50
Total goals (Over 2.5) at 1.66
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